Participatory Technology Assessment is generally been recognized as standing at the forefront of the development of participatory methods.  The question is if this will stay that way.  Together with TA more and more research areas such as science and technology studies, innovation studies, action research are using, developing and promoting participatory methods.  Together with a societal trend in which participation is seen as being valuable to complement the traditional democratic  decision-making procedure, one can say that TA hasn’t got the monopoly any more in participatory methods development.  Therefore is it important to see and discuss new developments in this field.  This Thematic Session on Participatory Methods created the opportunity for those who reflect on new methods, those who develop such methods and those who apply methods to present and discuss findings and experiences with colleagues and an interested public.

The abstracts of the session can be read here.

Presentations of the session:

• A. Bogner

The paradox of participation in new and emerging technologies

• S. R. Davies

Technology assessment in a deliberative society: Informal public engagement as science policy

• M. Schraudner

Discover markets – participatory methods for integrating user experience

• M. Rehberg

Shaping the future – Participatory methodology at the intersection of design and technology